Can anyone tell me how Boyd is doing during these current times. I am supposed to go to orientation on Monday in Birmingham and just wanted to see if they are still a good company to go with.
I live in Western NC off of I77 and they are telling me I should get home every weekend. True?
How are there trucks? Can anyone tell me how there orientation is? 5 days seems like a long orientation. What do they need to tell you in 5 days? Just thought that was a bit long.

1). I can't really tell you how Boyd is doing this year but I was working for them up until the end of last year & I had no problem getting miles. I only left Boyd because I was offered an opportunity to work local, make about the same money and be home every night.

2). I lived in Northern Virginia off of US29 & they had no problems getting me home every weekend. I elected to stay out sometimes just because I'm weird that way but Boyd will get you home every weekend.

3). I didn't think the equipment was that bad but thats just my opinion. I started in 6919 which was a great running truck & I never had any mechanical problems or breakdowns. I'm sure others may of had a more negative experience but I think overall they have pretty decent equipment.

4). I went to orientation in Cincinatti and it was the longest and most boring orientation that I have ever been to, especially if you are an experienced flatbedder. The first three days included physicals, drug screens, road test, all the paperwork, sign up for TWIC, movies and all the usual boring stuff that goes along with an orientation. The next day to day & a half covered load securement & tarping. There were more videos and also hands on training. On Friday we just finished up any loose ends and were assigned our trucks & loads.

I left alot out for sake of not rambling on and on but if I was going to get back out on the road I would definately go back to Boyd. I really enjoyed pulling flatbeds and I enjoyed working for Boyd. I got plenty of miles, had good equipment and got home when I wanted to. I'll admit that there were things I didn't agree with but your going to have that everywhere you go.

I wish you the best of luck and be safe out there.

If I were to go to another company Boyd would be at the top of the list. Ive heard many good things about them from their drivers. Good luck in your new job.

well Boyd was one of the great Flat Bed Co.s, but lately they've lost most of their luster. They cut Driver pay 4CPM, raised insurance $20 Wk, and cut Older Drivers mile by 800-1200 mpwk.

now if your a newbie, you'll get lots of miles, while your getting paid 32-34cpm (forger MPG BONUS- it's an Illusion), you'll get 3000 mpwk, sure, but just wait until your pay goes up 3-6Mo, then magically (POOF) you'll see those mile just vanish, and no one will know why, maybe you didn't take a shower this week?, maybe you went home? umm??.

Your dispatch will speculate that the economy is Bad, he'll say oh, it's a bad week, He'll spin elaborate tails of stuff even I can't come up with......BLah Blah, Now you can't say you were not Fore warned ahead of time.

They're not the worse Flat Bed Co., but in my opinion, and alot others, they're no longer the best. .

oh yeah, I've worked for Boyd, and know people who still work there, for 7yrs - 12yrs.

It is sad, just a few months ago it was on the top of my list. In just a few months I have been hearing some crazy stuff from some of there long time drivers. I will say that I dont know anyone personally that works there. I do load at a lot of the same places. When I get to talking with the drivers its about the same, getting rid of the older guys and bring in the new. That just might help the bottom line for the company, but flatbed work isnt for everyone. I will continue to watch this company because when they start hireing just anyone I bet things start costing them a lot more than there saving on "cheaper not cheap just cheaper labor".

Run, don't walk away from Boyd!!! Run far, run fast.

Flatt bed work really isn't the way to go right now. DO the math and figure out a commodity to pull. I am a gas hauler and the company I work for has cut our pay in the none money generating pay for example detention, weekly min, stop off sick days etc

Yep, food is the way to go right now. Whether it's with a local providor or an OTR company. People have to eat whether it's food from the grocery store or food at a restaraunt.

I worked about 2-1\2 years at BB. I had to quit because of severe Carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and arms. All the heavy work and squeezing bungies I guess.
My experience was that if you did your job and honestly tried your best you were very well treated. I got home pretty much as much as I wanted, and if I needed an xtra day or something, no problem. I got along fine with my DM's and got problems dealt with.
I'm sure the economy has affected them, so I can't tell you how it is now, but I was treated like a human being and with respect, things I really miss now that I'm with Heartless. They want me to come back, but I just don't think my body will cooperate. Another flatbed outfit that treats drivers very well is Builders Transport (right across the street from Boyd in B'ham) drivers speak well of them.
If you never pulled flatbed, be aware you're going into customers yards Knee-deep in mud, smoke filled plywood and chip mills, hot-as-hell
steel plants, cold roll mills with greasy slippery floors, wild-### overhead crane operators, and longshoremen meaner than rattlesnakes. You'll sweat like a horse, freeze your fingers, and get dirty as a pig quite often. But you'll have alot of laughs, the atmosphere is loose and relaxed ,and most of the customers don't care if it gets there tomorrow or the next day. when the company finds out you are not an idiot, don't do drugs, and will show up on Monday to deliver, you'll get your loads. Be careful, watch what you're doing, and don't hit things and you'll be fine.